The (Half) Truth

by Harper, Leddy

  A few sentences into the conversation, I sobered up enough to understand who was on the other end of the call. “Where are you? It’s so loud I can barely hear anything you’re saying.”

  I plugged one ear with my fingertip and pressed the phone against the other to block out some of the music. She didn’t deserve an explanation as to where I was. And she certainly hadn’t earned a follow-up question. Although, in my inebriated state, I offered both. “I’m at a club. What do you want?”

  “I was hoping you could talk. I’m trying to book a flight to come see you, and I wanted to run the dates by you first to make sure you won’t be busy.”

  “You’re doing that this late at night?”

  There was a brief pause, followed by a faint giggle. “Jason, it’s not even nine here. Which means it’s . . . what, a little after eleven thirty where you are?”

  I twisted my forearm in front of me and stared at my bare wrist. Under normal circumstances, I would’ve immediately understood that I hadn’t put my watch on before leaving the house. But right now, the news of her possible visit had left me too stunned to realize what I was even doing, let alone the fact that my skin couldn’t tell me the time.

  “I have to go.” When it came to Jen, I didn’t need to make up an excuse to end the call.

  “Can I at least give you the dates I’m looking at?”

  “Text them to me in the morning.” And with that, I tapped the red circle on the screen and dropped the phone into my lap.

  Two minutes ago, I’d been enjoying my night, laughing and having fun with people I’d likely never see again. And now I sat alone yet surrounded by strangers, my head back and eyes closed as I fought to calm down.

  “Are you okay?” Foxy must’ve had her face close to mine, because the heat of her breath blasted the side of my neck. “Hey, Jason . . . can you hear me? If so, open your eyes. If not, then keep them closed.”

  Resentment did wonders to the mind. Like right now, the bitterness I harbored toward Jen had me so focused, so in the zone, that everything had become much clearer. Yes, I still wasn’t in any shape to drive, and I still couldn’t remember anything the woman pressed against my side had told me, but my head no longer felt stuck in a bottle of liquor.

  If I hadn’t been so pissed over answering Jen’s call, I might’ve kept my eyes closed, just to see what Foxy would do. Yet I didn’t, because my ex had stolen every ounce of fun from my night.

  I opened my eyes, only to jump in my seat at the close proximity of Shania’s face. That was another answer I’d taken a shot for—Pink’s name. I thought Marlena had told me, but there was no way that was possible, because my cousin wasn’t even here. Anyway, I specifically remembered thinking there was no way I’d forget it again. Yet here I was, the tip of my nose inches from hers, and I couldn’t think of it to save my life.

  “Oh, thank God,” she breathed out, leaning back with a hand over her chest. “I thought you might’ve passed out or something.”

  “Unfortunately, no.” I glanced around, wondering who else had rushed over to make sure I was still alive. The conclusion was depressing. It appeared the only two people who showed any concern over my well-being were the two women who’d forever remain nameless.

  Shawna left but then quickly came back with two bottles of water. “Drink these.” She pointed a finger at the woman who’d attached herself to my side and added, “Make sure he finishes those. And when he does, let me know so I can bring him more.”

  Ignoring the fullness in my stomach, I chugged two-thirds of the first bottle. I only stopped because Nurse Clingy felt the need to wipe my chin every time a drop escaped my mouth. There was only so much a thirty-one-year-old man could take.

  “Listen, I appreciate your concern and, um . . . helpfulness. But I think it’s time I go home.”

  “Oh, for sure. I should probably head out, too. Here, let me give you a ride.”

  I froze and blinked at her in bewilderment. “Hell no. Please tell me you’re kidding.”

  She laughed and waved me off. “Don’t worry. I’m totally responsible.”

  “You’ve had just as many shots as I have—maybe more, since your birthday celebration started before we met. If you think I’m letting you get behind the wheel, you’re insane.”

  “No.” She shook her head and rested her hand on my chest. “I have a driver. He’s waiting outside. I’m sure he won’t have a problem taking you home, too.”

  “As much as I appreciate the offer, I’ll just get an Uber.”

  “And pay for a ride rather than accept a free one from me?”

  She must’ve mistaken my silence for acceptance, because she practically jumped off the sofa and reached for my hand. Before I knew it, I was on my feet, following her as she led me toward the steps.

  Aaron came out of nowhere and slapped the back of my shoulder. He was such an idiot. He must’ve noticed my hand in hers, realized we were on our way out together, and assumed it meant we’d wind up naked and sweaty. Technically, there was a very real chance I was the one who’d misread the entire situation—the whole “free ride” thing had been slightly vague. For all I knew, she was about to take advantage of me in the parking lot.

  I really hoped that wasn’t the case.

  14

  Tatum

  As awkward as it had been to be at Jason’s house last night without him here, it was a walk in the park compared to waiting around for him to wake up. When he’d stumbled through the front door at around midnight, I’d just finished a word search and was about to go to sleep. Needless to say, my plans had changed.

  The chime of an incoming text came from the kitchen. My phone was next to me on the couch, which meant it was Jason’s. And as much as I respected boundaries and privacy, by the third alert, I decided to check on it—you know, in case it was important.

  Jen: There are two weekends this month I can come. If those don’t work for you, let me know and I can look at the calendar for September.

  The second message contained the dates for her trip. My chest ached, which pissed me off because I shouldn’t have had an emotional reaction to his ex coming to see him. After everything that had happened with Michael, I had no right to be upset. Regardless, the sense of unjustified betrayal didn’t go away.

  There were five other messages below hers on the lock screen. I didn’t know his passcode, so I couldn’t see his conversations with these people. And while I didn’t necessarily need to read their full transcripts prior to these texts coming in, the unknown ate at me.

  Three had come in at the same time—the alerts that prompted me to check his phone in the first place. Two were from Jen, and the third was just a number, no name. Could’ve been a guy or a girl; although, if I had to guess, I’d say it was a female, based on the punctuation alone.

  A young female.

  Unknown: How are you feeling today?? I had so much fun last night! BTW you left a shoe in the car . . . I put it by your front door LOL!!

  The other four had come in last night, probably while I had tried to get him cleaned up and in bed. I recognized the names, yet I read their messages anyway.

  Marlena: I didn’t even see you leave. Text me when you get home so I know you made it safe.

  Aaron: Cheryl says that chick’s loaded. Let me know if you wanna make it a threesome. I swear I won’t touch you.

  Marlena: Hello?? Don’t make me come knocking on your door to make sure you’re alive!

  Kelsey: Wow. You’ve really changed all right. Not judging or anything, but I don’t think you can say you’re not the same player from HS when you’ve got a girl’s hands . . .

  If I had any way of getting into his phone, I would have, just to read Kelsey’s entire message. The preview wasn’t enough, especially when it ended with someone’s hands doing something to him. I assumed the girl Kelsey had referred to and the one Aaron had mentioned were one and the same. And if that were the case, I had a good idea of who she was. Well, not personally. But it was more t
han likely the one he’d been with while he sent me texts and voice messages throughout the night.

  No matter what, none of it was my business. And I refused to be the kind of girl who staked a claim on someone or something when I had no right to. So, I set the phone down and turned to go back to the couch. Except I didn’t get very far, because the figure in the doorway of Jason’s room startled me, making me jump.

  “Oh my God, Jay.” I clutched my chest and took a few deep breaths to calm my racing heart. “How long have you been standing there?”

  The slightest hint of an impending grin settled in the corner of his mouth, though there was a chance I’d imagined it, because it didn’t seem to fit with his response. “Long enough to see you snooping through my phone.”

  I picked it up, turned it over to inspect it from all angles, and then put it back down. With a slap on the counter and wide eyes set on him, I said, “Would you look at that . . . it is your phone. I thought it was mine. It chirped, so I came to see who had texted me. No wonder I didn’t know what these people were talking about.”

  “Listen, Tatum . . .” Guilt laced his voice and lined his face. “If it has anything to do with last night—”

  “Don’t do that.” I held up my hand to stop him from unnecessarily explaining. Sure, I wanted to know a few things, but I didn’t care to risk giving him the wrong impression. I had meant what I’d said the other day when I told him I wasn’t interested in a relationship, and questioning him about his night—or the girl—would only contradict that. “It’s none of my business. You don’t owe me anything.”

  He stalked toward me in nothing but a pair of boxer shorts. His eyes held mine with a level of intensity I didn’t think I’d ever seen in them. It was hard to take him seriously while parts of his hair stuck straight up and an imprint of wrinkled sheets covered half his face, though.

  “Then why were you going through my phone?” His deep morning voice had to be the sexiest sound I’d ever heard.

  “I-I wasn’t.” I handed it to him to prove it. “It’s locked, so I couldn’t if I tried.”

  He eyed me suspiciously.

  “Honestly, Jay . . . it went off a few times back to back, and I only looked to make sure it wasn’t something I needed to wake you up for.”

  He glanced at the device in his hand, almost as if he were scared to see what it contained, and then brought his attention back to my face. “I had a lot to drink last night, so I have no idea who said what. I know I didn’t do anything stupid. Well, anything I’d regret, at least.”

  “Hey, really, it’s totally cool. You sounded like you were having a blast with Foxy Lady.” I wagged my brows and smirked. “Although, I’m not sure she appreciated you telling her to pull her skirt down all the time.”

  His eyes widened in surprise, the green and yellow striations brighter than usual.

  “You don’t remember sending me voice texts?”

  I guess that was all he needed to hear to make him unlock his phone and check his messages. It was incredibly awkward to stand there and watch him, so I went back to the couch, leaving him in the kitchen.

  It couldn’t have been sixty seconds later when he joined me on the sofa.

  “Tatum,” he started, but then waited until I faced him. “About that girl . . .”

  “Seriously, there’s no reason to explain. You wanted a piece of ass; I get it.” I shrugged, as if my stomach hadn’t been in knots all night. “You don’t owe me anything, so please, don’t make a big deal about it.”

  “You’re a shit liar.” He smiled, though it was weak and proved just how hungover he was.

  “Am not. I don’t have an issue with you getting it where and when you can. You’re single, so there’s nothing wrong with it.”

  “But . . . ?”

  Damn him. “I guess I just find it a little distasteful to do that while I’m here. In your bed. But I hate saying that because it’s not like you even invited me to stay for the weekend. I have no right to complain about it . . . which is why I had no intention of bringing it up.”

  “I really wish Kelsey had never said anything to you.”

  There was something in his tone that made me settle in and lay it all out on the table. “Your cousin doesn’t have anything to do with it. If this comes across as a lecture, please know that’s not how I mean it, but what she’s told me—be it the truth or otherwise—has no bearing on what you do. You went out last night, had a lot to drink, and then did whatever you did. None of which can be blamed on Kelsey.”

  His eyelids fell, nearly closing, and I wondered if he’d done that on purpose to shield me from his emotions, or if it’d been instinctual, an uncontrollable reaction to defeat. And when they lifted, his gaze unfocused on something over my shoulder, my heart shattered at the lack of brilliance in the color. They were no longer limes on a tree, but rather two uncooked artichokes.

  “I’m not blaming anything on her, Tatum. I just wish she hadn’t filled your head with this image of me, because it’s not who I am. And now, your first assumption is that I fucked her, even though I didn’t.”

  I held my breath and replayed his words in my head. “You didn’t?”

  “No. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”

  As much as I wanted to soak in the relief I felt over knowing he hadn’t disrespected me like I’d thought, I didn’t want him to get the wrong impression—especially since I had no clue where these emotions had come from. So rather than wipe my forehead and reward him with an elated smile, I said, “I appreciate that, Jay. I really do. But I meant it when I said you don’t owe me anything.”

  “Maybe it’s not you I’m trying to prove myself to. Maybe it’s me. Maybe it’s everyone in this damn town who refuses to accept that I’m no longer the grade-A asshole who used to live here.”

  I couldn’t stand watching him beat himself up over something he’d already changed. “Oh, come on. You couldn’t have been that bad. At least, I haven’t heard anyone say that about you. A player, yes. Womanizer, sure. I’ve even heard man-whore and skirt chaser a time or two. But asshole? No.”

  A lazy grin tugged at his lips, and with a flippant roll of his eyes, he reclined against the back of the couch. “You must not have heard it all, then. I was a dick back in the day. And the worst part was I knew it, yet I didn’t see any reason to change.”

  “What kinds of things did you do?”

  He ran his palm down his face and set his attention across the room, avoiding any eye contact with me. “Samson, as you know, is a small town. Which means high school is just as small. Sleeping with someone once wasn’t an option, unless I wanted to run through the entire school before finishing my freshman year. So, I had my favorites and stayed in their good graces, while rotating between new students and incoming fresh meat. Most of the time, that meant I was with several girls at once.”

  “At once?” Why this was the most shocking of it all was beyond me.

  “Well, no.” His chest rumbled with laughter, and finally, he met my stare. “Not at the same time. I just mean I’d be with one girl on Friday night, and another on Saturday. And I made sure they didn’t know about each other. On the bright side, I never cheated on anyone, because I never actually dated them.”

  I wondered if he purposely tried to make himself sound like the biggest prick in the world. “Okay, so you were a player. Every high school has one.”

  “Yeah, except I was that way in college, too. It was just worse then, because there were more women on campus than the entire population of Samson.”

  “So what changed? Aside from time, obviously.”

  “I moved to a city I didn’t know anyone in, got a job that required me to be an adult, and I started dating. Nothing serious at first, but it was enough to see that I hadn’t given anyone a chance because I was too wrapped up in getting laid. Then I met Jen—my ex.” Just the sound of her name made my blood pressure rise.

  “How’d she tame you?”

  He hesitated for
a moment with his focus on the ceiling fan. Either he really put a lot of thought into my question, or he’d fallen asleep with his eyes open. Eventually, he sighed, letting me know he was awake, and then readied himself to explain. “To tell you the truth, I’m not sure. We started out as friends, hung out when we could, and before I knew it, we were exclusive.”

  “Your mom said you guys were together for a while?”

  He nodded. “Almost five years.”

  “Holy shit.” I wasn’t sure why, but his answer surprised me. I mean, I had heard he’d been with her for a long time, yet with everything else I’d learned about Jason, I guess I’d assumed anything past a couple of months would be considered a serious commitment. “How do two people in Vegas date for almost five years and not wind up at a drive-through wedding chapel?”

  His hoarse laughter drifted over me before settling into my chest. Considering how little we knew each other, he had this effortless way of bringing me into an easy conversation. Well, once I stopped freaking out and acting like someone who’d never been allowed in public before.

  “Tourists are the only people who actually get married at those places.”

  “You mean to tell me you never thought about it? About how easy that would be?”

  “We talked about marriage, sure. But mostly, it was the idea of it. Like . . . we knew we’d eventually get there, but we hadn’t made any plans for when. We never put time limits on it. It was always this thing in our future that we were aware of and never doubted, but it wasn’t ever something either of us felt the need to rush out and do. Although, I did end up buying a ring a few months before I left; I just never made it to the actual proposal.”

  The last time his ex had been brought up, he’d made it very clear he wasn’t interested in talking about her or their relationship—or subsequent breakup. Which made this conversation slightly uncomfortable, because I wasn’t sure how many more questions I was allowed to ask. So, instead of pushing my luck, I simply said, “She should be happy you never gave her the ring. I can tell you from experience that taking it off isn’t fun.”